Survivors of Dr. Parth Gandhi

 

Parth Gandhi, PhD, was a Salt Lake City–based psychedelic therapist who died by murder-suicide in May 2023 after killing his 16-year-old son, Om Moses Gandhi, amid an active sexual assault investigation related to reports I THRIVE’s creator had helped initiate.

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I THRIVE’s creator first learned of Dr. Gandhi in 2019 as a state and national leader in psychedelic sciences. After experiencing psychedelic-facilitated sexual assault by a Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI) professor in June 2020, she enrolled in Dr. Gandhi’s July 2020 psychedelic-assisted therapy course seeking healing and support. The course—taught by national leaders and guest lecturers—was experienced as open, educational, and healing. Based on this positive experience, I THRIVE’s creator later funded scholarships for survivors and students through Gandhi’s Zoom trainings in late 2020 and early 2021.

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In January 2021, while attempting to expose psychedelic-facilitated sexual assault in Utah through peaceful protest, performative art, and community outreach, I THRIVE’s creator sought inclusion and dialogue at HMHI. When HMHI faculty failed to intervene and instead retaliated, she turned to Dr. Gandhi and other local providers for help in summer 2021. During this period, Gandhi’s former business partner, James Evans, BSc, warned her that Gandhi was dangerous and that exposing abuses in the psychedelic medicine space could result in serious harm, including potential murder, due to financial interests in the field.

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Out of concern for personal and public safety, I THRIVE’s creator reported these warnings to more than ten University of Utah physicians in late summer 2021. No protective action was taken; instead, she was threatened with criminal citation for reporting Gandhi and others as dangerous. Fearing for her life and anticipating she would not be believed amid coordinated institutional cover-ups, she continued advocacy, investigative efforts, and evidence collection throughout 2021. I THRIVE cancelled a planned 2021 photo advocacy series to focus on safety and reporting, and applied to the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) Certificate Program in Psychedelic Therapies and Research (CPTR) to seek additional institutional support.

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After her acceptance to CIIS, Gandhi approached I THRIVE’s creator in February 2022 and proposed that he could “heal” her prior psychedelic-facilitated sexual assault through a sexual relationship while on psychedelic medicines. She immediately recognized this as unethical, immoral, and dangerous. Because the solicitation had not progressed to physical harm, police later advised that no crime had occurred and intervention options were limited. Given prior threats and institutional disbelief—particularly involving other Utah providers implicated in related abuses—she feared reporting Gandhi directly.

Nevertheless, she disclosed Gandhi’s solicitation to senior Utah physicians Paul Carlson, MD, and Reid Robison, MD, in March and April 2022 seeking guidance and intervention. Both failed to act; Dr. Carlson was antagonistic toward her advocacy. Her concern for patient and community safety deepened.

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Beginning her CIIS studies in April 2022, I THRIVE’s creator shared safety concerns with national leaders in psychedelic science, who encouraged continued reporting. In June and July 2022, two local psychedelic churches—the Divine Assembly and the Temple of Hermes—indicated others may have been solicited or harmed by Gandhi. Former Utah State Senator Steve Urquhart, JD, founder of the Divine Assembly, actively recruited survivors to come forward. Following Gandhi’s death, Urquhart publicly stated on social media that he was aware of at least 30 survivors of various harms—including sexual assault and rape—attributed to Parth Gandhi, with reports dating back as early as the 1990s.

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On July 31, 2022, I THRIVE’s creator formally whistle-blew, reporting Gandhi to police, the University of Utah, national psychedelic leaders, and the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL).

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In October 2022, she learned of an alleged rape committed by Gandhi against a patient and was recruited into DOPL’s investigation. She later assisted SLCPD investigations into Gandhi and associated University of Utah abuses during winter 2022 and continued contacting DOPL, the FBI, and law enforcement through spring 2023 due to escalating concerns.

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On May 13, 2023, I THRIVE’s creator learned that Gandhi had killed his son, Om Moses Gandhi, and then himself amid a long-standing custody dispute and the active sexual assault investigation she had helped initiate. In summer 2023, she contacted the Utah Attorney General and the U.S. Department of Justice requesting investigation into systemic failures, corruption, and two years of ignored warnings that Gandhi was dangerous. Both offices declined to pursue investigations beyond DOPL, where the matter remains under review.

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Following Om’s death, I THRIVE’s creator provided the family liaison with all reporting materials, offered survivor referrals to the Salt Lake City Rape Recovery Center, crime reparations resources, and legal referrals. She attended Om’s funeral and a healing gathering for those harmed by Gandhi at the family’s invitation. The family liaison expressed interest in pursuing Om’s Law to protect children and requested platform separation, which I THRIVE has respected.

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In honor of Om’s family and for personal healing, I THRIVE’s creator delayed full public documentation until September 2024, though abbreviated accounts have appeared on the Kintsukuroi Project site since summer 2023.

 

Legal counsel has advised that survivors harmed after I THRIVE’s initial reports (late 2021–2023) may have claims against the University of Utah or the state for failure to intervene. I THRIVE’s creator remains a cooperative witness and has shared reporting records with survivors upon request. The law firm Parker & McConkie has been briefed on these matters and has offered counsel to survivors. Those harmed by Parth Gandhi are encouraged to consult trusted legal representation to explore options. Healing from sexual assault is complex, and support is essential.

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Survivors in need of healing resources are invited to explore I THRIVE’s offerings and to remember, You Are Never Alone.